Militant junior doctors planning fresh strikes on struggling hospitals in bid to derail new contracts

MILITANT junior doctors plan to target struggling hospitals with strikes in a bid to derail the introduction of new contracts.

Union bosses were today said to be meeting to plot a fresh wave of walkouts to inflict maximum chaos on the NHS.

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The British Medical Association had to suspend five days of all-out action over fears for patient safety and a backlash from members.

But hardliners are determined to strike at “weak” hospitals to disrupt Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s weekend working deal, an insider claims.

One medic said the walkouts would be like “holding a gun” to their heads.

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The first targets could be those already implementing the contracts — such as London’s St George’s Hospital, now in special measures after it was rated inadequate.

Militants hope it will discourage other hospitals.

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A source said: “They believe targeting weak hospitals will cause maximum impact and stop trusts pushing through the contracts.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “Junior doctors across the country are already moving on to the new contract and we urge the BMA to permanently call off industrial action.”

The BMA denied strike action would be discussed today.